A PIL has been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking a stronger tetrapod-backed seawall along the Vypin coast to protect residents from sea intrusion and coastal erosion. The Court has asked the Irrigation Department and local panchayats to file reports and affidavits on the issue before the next hearing.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court highlighting the urgent need to strengthen the existing seawall along the Vypin coast in Ernakulam district. The petition stresses the need for a stronger seawall supported by tetrapods to protect coastal residents from frequent sea intrusion and coastal erosion, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
The PIL has been filed by nine residents from the coastal villages of Njarakkal and Nayarambalam in the Vypin area. The petitioners have also requested the Court to issue directions to authorities to ensure proper repair and maintenance of the existing seawall, which they claim is frequently damaged during heavy rains and strong sea waves.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM heard the matter on March 26 and directed the State Irrigation Department to submit a detailed report addressing the issues raised by the petitioners.
The Court specifically ordered,
“The Irrigation Department shall file a report with regard to the grievances raised by the petitioners concerning the sea wall at Njarakkal and Nayarambalam,”
the Court ordered.
The Court has listed the matter for further hearing on April 1. Meanwhile, the Nayarambalam Grama Panchayat and Njarakkal Grama Panchayat have also been directed to file their affidavits responding to the concerns raised in the PIL.
According to the petition, the residents living along the coastal belt of Vypin Island face serious problems every year during the monsoon season. Even though a seawall has been constructed along parts of the coast, several portions of it get damaged or washed away due to heavy rainfall and powerful waves. Because of this, many families are forced to leave their homes and move to temporary relief camps or stay with relatives during the rainy season.
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The petition describes the difficult situation faced by local residents and states,
“On all occasions on rainy season there occurs sea attack and the local residents are evacuated from their homes and they are forced to live in temporary rehabilitation camp or residence of their relatives. Their daily lifes are adversely affected and they are struggling to meet both ends of their life,”
said the petition.
The petition further explains that in addition to repairing the existing seawall, more coastal protection measures are required to prevent sea erosion and flooding. These include the installation of tetrapods and the construction of groins, which are strong concrete structures built perpendicular to the shore to reduce wave impact and prevent soil erosion.
Tetrapods are large four-legged concrete structures placed along shorelines and breakwaters. Their unique shape helps reduce the force of waves by allowing water to flow around them instead of hitting a flat wall directly. This helps in reducing wave energy and protecting the shoreline from erosion.
The petitioners have argued that strengthening the seawall using tetrapods is a scientifically proven and effective method to prevent sea attacks and coastal erosion. They have also pointed out that this method has already been successfully used in Chellanam Grama Panchayat, where it helped control coastal erosion and sea intrusion.
The PIL also seeks detailed information from the authorities regarding the current status of seawall maintenance, the steps being taken by the government to protect coastal residents during the monsoon season, and regular progress updates on the construction of a stronger seawall until the project is fully completed.
The petitioners were represented by Advocates Akhil K Madhav, TR Jerry Sebastian, Archana Suresh and Vironica Vincy PB. Advocate Varghese K Paul appeared for the State authorities, while Central Government Counsel Navaneeth N Nath represented the Union Ministry of Environment.
The case will now be heard again on April 1, where the Court will review the reports and affidavits filed by the concerned authorities and decide the next course of action to address the serious coastal erosion issues faced by residents of the Vypin area.
Case Title:
AG Joy & Ors v. State of Kerala & Ors.
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